The school campus is based on the premises of the St. Ottilien Archabbey and finds its roots in traditional Christian values.

In its 2009 survey, the Bavarian Ministry of Culture and Education counts the school within the top 10% Gymnasia for German, Latin and Mathematics.

[1] Besides their work in school, Ottilian students are known for their extra-curricular activities, in particular for its quadri-annual "Circus St. Ottilien", the student-driven emergency services, the IT-projects and its modern art faculties.

[5] Since its foundation, the Gymnasium counts a variety of politicians, journalists, scientists, authors and the Ninth Abbot Primate of the Benedictian Confederation, Notker Wolf, to its alumni.

Traditionally, religious studies form a mandatory part of the curriculum, whereas Roman Catholic and Protestant students are taught separately.